Brave Teenager Is Sailing To Hobart For The First Time - Without Her Wheelchair

While the conditions will be challenging, the 16-member crew of the 16-metre Lyons 54 faceboat Sailors with disABILITIES should be up for the challenge, having previously survived and won the 1998 race, the toughest yet. On board the boat in her first Hobart is Grace Kennedy, 19, who has spina bifida and is normally in a wheelchair. She left it behind this morning as she climbed about the boat, skippered by Kirk Watson, who is legally blind and competing in his 9th race. Sailors with disABILITIES (SWD) was founded by David Pescud to help disabled and disadvantaged young people and they’ve competed in 16 Rolex Sydney to Hobart races. faceboat Sailors with disABILITIES is already showing its ability as one of the first 20 boats out Sydney Heads and currently leads its division. SWD is still ‘seeking sponsorship for the boat’, which costs just $25, tax deductible, and donors will have their photo on the hull of the yacht for 12 months. Business Insider will continue to monitor and report the progress of faceboat Sailors with disABILITIES as she races to Hobart.